Iftikhar Ahmad
Daily Times
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Past articles by Iftikhar:
Structure of Bureaucracy
We can have no effective understanding of public administration unless we keep in mind the wide range of considerations relevant to the administrator’s behaviour. Each administrative situation is unique, suggesting an innovative and creative approach, and the importance of analytical skills to seek solutions appropriate to ever-changing scenarios. Effective bureaucracy immediately responds to… → Read More
Communicating with the Environment
External environment refers to the outside institutions or forces that potentially affect an organisation’s performance. The specific environment is the part of the environment that is directly relevant to the achievement of an organisation’s goals. Organisations exist to meet the needs of customers. This is true even for governmental organisations. They exist to provide services […] → Read More
Functions and Objectives of Education
Education creates an enabling culture. University qualifications generally lead to better-paid jobs and higher social class positions. Quite expectedly, teachers and even students look down on vocational qualifications as ‘inferior’ or a second-rate option compared to more traditional academic subjects and courses. Those from working-class backgrounds are more likely to enrol in vocational… → Read More
Peace for Afghanistan and Pakistan
It is a historic opportunity for Afghans to end the conflict, which has for long led to the destruction of infrastructure and loss of humans and humanity. Pakistan and regional countries have, and will continue, to support the Taliban and Afghan government in hammering out a solution and rebuilding the country. Peace in Afghanistan is […] → Read More
Reasons behind poverty
Why the poor remain poor is a question that requires a look at linkages of poverty. The culture of poverty passes poverty from one generation to the next through the process of socialization. The poor lack skills and so get low wages or are unemployed. Poverty and low wages benefit the rich. The existence of […] → Read More
Pluralistic political institutions
Aggression goes on without cessation, the aggressor goes unchecked, institutions fail to deliver, that is the stage in front of us everywhere in this world that is otherwise expected to be just, unbiased and humane in approach. Heart breaking things are happening to people at the hands of people. Life is a complex whole we […] → Read More
Musings on Palestine and beyond
The American myth of a unipolar world has started to crumble, as China comes out from the shadows and Russia gathers strength under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin. Afghanistan turned out to be a military and strategic quagmire for America and her allies. Elsewhere, the US failed to pressure Iran following the Houthi attacks […] → Read More
History is not destiny
Come blow your horn; Super Stars and lowly born; Restructure your loss dreams; Rebuild what was shattered; Please see that it mattered; Take care of protective walls; Don’t let them crumble and fall; Drift and default make and mar; Barriers and road blocks are our self-created; Problems and issues crop up. As we stop our […] → Read More
Operation swift retort and beyond
On Second Anniversary of operation swift retort citizens marked surprise day with national pride, our desire for peace should not be misunderstood. “Pakistan is a responsible and peace loving nation and its armed forces are prepared to defend its territorial integrity at all costs.” Says Air chief Mujahid Anwar Khan. He said our efforts for […] → Read More
Critical role of governance
Training, preparedness in peacetime only guarantors of peace: says COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa witnessing training exercise “Jidar ul Hadeed” that involves integrated maneuvers of infantry and mechanized forces in defensive role. He expressed complete satisfaction during his visit to training area in Thar Desert near Chhor. Earlier, on arrival at exercise area, COAS was […] → Read More
Way to correcting wrongs
Rule is an authoritative regulation or standard to be followed, a regulation adopted by the legislative body to secure adequate debate, freedom of expression, full consideration, and protection of the minority against surprise or fraud, and the orderly and prompt disposal of business. Rule of law is an Anglo-American doctrine that the law is supreme … → Read More
Public policy reflections and linkages
The appointments of Senator Shibli Faraz as information minister and Lt-General (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa as special assistant to the prime minister on information are welcome developments. Also, Prime Minister Press Secretory Shahera Shahid, a grade 21 officer of information group, has been appointed the principal information officer. Though highly important at all times, the … → Read More
Coronavirus- a major global issue
Currently social distancing was the only solution to overcome the problem of Coronavirus spread. If people implemented the government instructions and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the government institutions, the Corona Pandemic could be controlled soon. The Principal, Post-Graduate Medical Institute, Prof Al-Fareed Zafar, has meanwhile informed that the task force for… → Read More
Faith and hope
Pakistan has urged the world to stop India’s belligerence as New Delhi continued to crush the minorities. India had made life for the minorities miserable. Urgent steps were required to force an end to India’s “discriminatory and anti-minority” policies. Last month’s violence in India’s capital, which predominately targeted Muslims was of great concern to Pakistan. … → Read More
Building industry-academia linkages: a latent solution
Such a setting would also act as a bridge for the academia and the industry. IT SEZs, while looking for opportunities, are expected to engage → Read More
Incapacity and utter failure
What is good for the state institutions is good for Pakistan Rules and procedures are guidelines for effective and good governance. Let us stop turning them into road blocks. Periodical reviews are required to update all rules and procedures as well as government policies. Democracy in its best form and description adopted and adopted is … → Read More
An enabling culture is required for a way forward
Investment in peace is better than hatemongering and war. A day will dawn to unchain the oppressed and grant them opportunity to exercise their right of self-determination. The forces of true justice will prevail. India will witness end to its own injustice and state terrorism. It is time for the United Nations to implement its … → Read More
Resolving political crisis
Feelings and words walk together, hand in hand; leaving behind a narrative of endless pain. No comfort; no gain. When will the narrative change; bringing new hope, taking away misery and shame? War and peace are instruments of development and change; the change we fear; the change we need. This is a dilemma, indeed. After … → Read More
Observing a ‘Black Day’ story of Kashmir
Pakistan marked October 27, 2019 as Black Day to Condemn illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir. In the province of Punjab one Million Signatures campaign was inaugurated to highlight Indian atrocities in Kashmir. Representatives of youth held demonstrations against Indian state terrorism, continued violence and usurpation of human rights and killing of unarmed Kashmiris struggling for … → Read More
Institutions and policymaking
A general sense of dissatisfaction about credibility of accountability and performance of government is nothing new. Students of public administration and public policy and experts from allied fields of study such as sociology, political science and economics have been engaged in structural functional analysis with a view to improving the system of government that impacts … → Read More